Emergency signaling device



Sept. 7, 1948. M. DWYER 9 9 EMERGENCY SIGNALiNG DEVIQE Filed May 1'7, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet l f0 vA a j I lNVENTOR ATTORNEYS Sept. '7, 1948. M. DWYER EMERGENCY SIGNALING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 17, 1943 INZZNTOR m 2,,

ind W mcd m ATTORNEYS Sept. 7, 1948. M. DWYER 2,448,521

EMERGENCY SIGNALING DEVICE Filed May 17, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Hill INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Sept. 7, 1948. DwYER 2,443,521

EMERGENCY SIGNALING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 1'7, 1943 53.15. INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 7, 1948 FEED difllaims. 1 This invention relates to signalling de'viices and more particularly te-smokeor pyrotechnic signal devices adapted to be carried in-emergency life rafts, boatsor the like.

Increasing air transport over large bodies-iof water hasmade it extremely important that- 'all crews operating such transports"have irr their emergency life rafts day and night-time sign'alling devices capable ofexpellinglarge volumes of coloredsmolze or' light=emittingcomposition. The same situation exists withrespect-*to' ships and lifeboats.

One of the principalrequirementsof such devices' or signals is that they =remain absolutely watertight and -moistureproof until -they- 'are used, irrespective of theweather-conditionsand other environment to which they are exposed prior to such use; because the i'gnitible='eontents of the devices must-oedry or e1se==they-cannot be used efiectively; if at all.

One of the principal features of the invention relates to novel container constructions' for such devices that are of extremely-- rugged 'construc- 'tion; that are absolutelywaterand I moisture- "even under the-severestconditions-so that the devices may be used Whenever-required--in== an emergency.

Another object of theinventiori isto produce devices of this character that will be =comparatively simple in construction; cheap and easy "to assemble.

'Another object of the"inventionds towrovide devices 'of the character described that" Wi1l--be self-contained, each including everything necessary for its operation in-an emergency'andwhich maybe put into use without requiring any-tools. In the past, it has been common'practice-to design a smoke or pyrotechnicsignal to-*flt*=on a detachable handle, and'to' include such a,

handle in a kit including severalsignals so that the signals could be afiixed'in'clividuallyto 'the handle and held thereby a safe-distanceaaway from the users hand while being fired; ignited or burned. This made'it essential-toinclude'an extra piece of-equipment, namely, a"=-hafidle with each kit, and had thegreat-disadvantage that, i1 the individual handle were lostoverboard or elsewhere, it'would become impossibleto fire,

ignite or. burn the signals of"-the=-kit.-"-In""other words; the dependency of these kits--upona detachable handle was one of th'eir principahweaknesses.

Another ob je (cute-eaves) provide signalling devices that may:.=:be:saely ih edpeignited; .::bumed-.zor.t;ntherwiseiiusedzrand whicnw.arezindependentt entin'elyi ofaeachtiother and of any requirement for zasdetachableihandle.

.- riAn'other obi act... is ;;to:.' provider: devices which may: be safrely'zheld :in .hand: by fathexuser durin :useewithout requiring;anyzhandlelwhatsoever.

.cnnotherz aiobject? ais i'the -z :provision: of: signalling devices, each of which is a, completely independent :entity;.\so'- that the loss of oneaon morei-will havezznoveffect whatsoeven on theznbilitycto-use those remaining.

elstillsanother.:obiecti*ofsthe invention is tozipro- .vidensignailing .adevicesweach equipped-1v" a convenient handle as a part thereof whichpprior torneed, isic'olla'ps'ed or-rso: arranged-fin: aposition 10f. non-nser-on -the si-gnal-idevice asrnot tozinter- *fere with -safe easy and compact packing' of the safety signal kit.

0 A further obj'ect-is theprovision bt-handle constructions in-connectiomwith such signal-lingdevices -that' can be readily incorporated-with or applied to existing types of signalling devices and which are cheap-=to manu-fa-ctureand asseinble -with-such devices,- andwhich can be -made""with-minimum requirementsof materials andilabor.

iinnotherfobiect is the provisionbf handlenono fstructions'in conjunction-with"signaliingdeviees thatm'ay' be quicklyandmonvenientlrput i'into operativep'ositionhythenser.

the: accomplishment of the -Ioregoing"and -siichlother' jobiectsas. may hereafter.ap earithis .inventionv consists .in" the novel. construction .and

"' .arran ementbt parts hereinafter torbeldescribed iandjthen sought .to -be ;defined.in;;the:apneuded ,claims, reference .heing..-had...to. then-accompany ,ing rdrawingi forming; a ..part..he1:eof-.-andQtrhich .shows merely. forthepurposes .of illustrativeldis- .closure,-:preferredembodiments.of..the invention,

it heingtexpresslyz understo0d,-..-however .that .var- .ious changes may. be made. in. practiceawithin the-scope of :the appended claimswithout digressing from-the lnventiveidea.

. ilIn 1. the adrawih tin '.-'-.W'1'-1i0h {similar #IZBfEIBIl-CB characters denote -.correspondlngpants,

Eignre 1c-isr.anaelevationalevievm;of *nnewformm signallingedevicexembodyingr-the.invention;

- *Fig. Ziisadcoprplan wiew of thei dericeiof: Eig;v ,;1

Eig2-2 :andrwiewed in the;-.dinection of the Fig 3 4s.anverticalasection: takem'jalong lineof Fig. 5 and. viewed in the direction of the arsignalling device embodying the invention; 11 is a vertical section of :the device of shown in its packing, collapsed or non-use posi- I I5--I5 of Fig. ,l l'viewed in the direction of the arrows;

I I8-i'6 of Fig. -14,.also viewed in the direction of the arrows; 1 I

Figs. 18 and;l9 are detailed views of inclusive, I denotes an external casing or conreinforcement therefor and is also stamped or.

I3 adjacent to its periphery. A central opening 3 Fig.5is abo'ttom plan view of a detail of the internal construction; 1 I Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line B.-6

rows; I

. Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line l-1 s of Fig. and also viewed in the direction of the arrows; I Fig. Sis a plan view of the top of an internal container carried in the device of Fig. 1; Fig. 9 is a verticalse'ctionsimilar tothat of. Fig. 3 illustrating a modified form of construction; a

Fig.10 is a top plan'viewof'anotheriorrn of,

Fig. 10. taken along line II-i I of.

I viewed. in the direction of the arrows; V Fig. 12 is a iragmentarysection similar-to that of Fig. 1]. illustrating a modificationin the handle device equipped with yet another form of novel handle construction and in which the latter is tion;

Fig. 1.5 is .a transverse section taken along lines .30

Fig. .16 a similar section taken along lines .35 Fig. 17 is aview similar to Fig. 14 but illustrat- I I ing thehandle extended into position of use for permitting firing, igniting or burning of the con-- tents of the signalling device;

a iurther 5 4: modified form of handle construction; and

Fig. is a fragmentary elevation of still another form of such construction.

Referring to the drawing and first to Figs. 1-8

-4 tainer of metal or other suitable material. In the embodiment shown, this casing is of cylindrlcal form but it may be ofany desired form.

.The casing is provided or formed with annular ribs I I that serve to reinforce it. A member I2 .50

(Figs. 3, 5, 6 and 7) of substantially cuplike form The, bottom I3 of this member is fluted or grooved at I4 and Ma to provide 5 5 out along the lines I5 so that leglike members I6 can be bent downwardly from the bottom l3 to. the position shown in Figs. 3 and 7, leaving openings or perforations I8 (Fig. '7) in the bottom 6.0 I9 is also provided in the bottom I3. The openings I9 (and I8 serve to permit rapid'escape of the products of combustion from the device. The member I2 forms a spider-like support member whose function will-be presently explained.

A cover member 20 is provided forthe member I2. This cover member 20 has a larger diameter than that of the container I0 and i-ts'overl-apping edges 20a are headed over together with the upper edges of' the'co-ntainer I I] and the sh'ell-likemember I2 to form a double annular sealing bead or rib '2I. This bead is very secure and is made moistureand leak-proof in any well-known manner, as by the use of solder or the like- The cover member 20 has a comparatively-large an annular 4 opening 22 that is normally sealed by :a removable tear strip or member 23-secured over said opening in well-known manner asby soldering or the like. This tear strip 23, while removable,

. effectively and completely seals the opening 22 against moisture, water and gas until it is are moved. A suitable ring 24 or other equivalent means is attached to the tear strip 23 to facilitate removal of the latter by the user. without tools. It is rnerely necessary for the user to grasp the the ring 24and' pull off. the tear strip 23 to-expose the opening 22. The entire inner wall of the container or casing any suitable material that may be applied either byisprayingdipping or inany other suitable manner. This lining Illa preferably has heat insulating properties. I I

.An inner container 29 of metal or other suitable material .ator-holding. the burning compound is provided. This container 23 is admeasured to extend into the space afforded by the downwardly-extending legs I 6 of the member l2, being suitably'spaced and insulated from the legs I6- and bottom I3 of member-l2 by a spacing and in- 'sulating liner 3% which'is of asbestos or other insulating material.

inner containerZfl is provided with a plurality or smoke-escape passageways 3| through which The. top 29a (Fig. 8) of the the products of combustion of the material within container 29 mayescape to the opening I9 and I thence outwardly of container. Ill through opening 22. Likewise and for similar purposes. the

side wall or walls of container 29' have a plurality of similar openings 32 (Fig. 3) leading to space 33 between the containers I9 and 29.. The top 29a or theinner container 29 also another opening 34. This. opening has upstanding legs 35 for a purpose to be apresently de 3 scribed.

The inner'container 29 is provided with a paper or other readily combustible liner 39 and is filled with a suitable smoke compound 40 capable of producing large volumes of smoke when burned that will be visibleas a cloud even in high wind. The constituents of this smoke compound include a suitable dye for coloring the smoke as desired, a suitable burning agent to produce the smoke and suitable fuel so that a sustained volume of smoke will be produced when the compound is ignited. Any of the commercially known satisfactory smo-ke-producing compounds may be utilized. A suitable fuse 4| extends through the compound 49 and terminates in a match-head ber 44 into the space 48 between the top 29a and the top 20 of the two containers. A suitable handle 49; is attached to the pull-cord or wire 41 and lies in said space 48 for convenient grasping by the user when tear strip 23 is removed. If desired, the cord 4'I may be attached directly to thetear strip 23 so that its removal will automartically cause the striker 46 to ignite the .matc'h-head 42.

The lower end of the fuse 4I 5 iszsecmediagainstwvithdrwal.by thegcmossispin 5.0. Thispin an-dthecotterrpin- 45; both arecpreferably :pfo' combustible imateri-al Such". as .zincc-or thezl-ike.

11f; itherburmng *componndi Augie in solid dorm, i. ;e., .2 a compressed s solidified cylinder: .of ;.the smokeelprod'ucing material, oraadellied substance, thezlineri- 39- maybe' dispensed .with, if desired.

5A.:plug35l zofpressed clay,..asbest.os orizother suitable; material lies at the. bottom of thercompound: :40.- andwservesito retain .it in container-29. Assuitableb'ottom 1.2% is. provided-ion the: con- 13211181329, being reentrant and. attached; suitably at"29c.'to.: said container. .A'sleeve onjacketifi surrounds the; inner; container 25 :for a; part. of its lengtlrnearits-lower endifilling the-space between it and; the. outer container 1 ii and leaving-aminsulating air space 53 between the bottomiifib and:the bottom. 52 (not the sleeve? 52. This sleeve or; jacket. 52: is of suitable heatdnsulatingrmata. rial: suchas asbestos. and serves to: helpiao -.-.heatinsulate the outer container Hl:.:from'thezinner one,1-so ::that. the. outercontainer; can; .if: desired, be grasped and held. byitheuseriduringburning of. the smoke compound 0. The linen-orjacket 521may; beomitted and utilizationmay; baa-made ofitheaair in spaces 33 and53 for the same pur- Poses.

.Thebottom 5-41 of thecontainer l; completely closes/the. lower end-of the latter andgis suitably secured; thereto by. beading-over. the-rim 54a. of saidibo'ttom and the lower .edge. wbzofusaid; containento form the watertight and-moisture-proof hermetical sealing bead 55.

,rlnassembly, of course, .the: containers wand 29iareiboth loaded from their. bottomzendsi; the manner of assembly being to loadcontainer-z29 withits contents '40; 4 I 42 and 4.4, then .tminsert the. plug l therein, .thento apply :the. bottomZSb, then .to insert the loaded container .ZBintcrcontainer lfl as shown in 'Fig. 3,'then toiap'plyithe packing-or jacket 52, then to-.app1y :the-bottom coyer;5 landthen to form the sealing bead 55 sothatthe container 29 andits contents are completely sealed in leak-proof and waterproof mam, nerwithin-contain-er It, i. e;, they arehermetically' sealed-within the outer container.

*Ani auxiliary handle.- cons truction"; mayv be; provided in: order :that the container I B may bezheld further away from the user during burning of the. smoke. compound. In the embodiment :shownzin 3-, a member -56 may besecured to the-bottom 54:as by spot .welding orin anyother gsuitable way. Eyelets or hinges El are'providedxon the member 56 at suitably spaced-apart points. .Rods. orihandle members 58' ofybendablermetal. suchas irorr'wire oranyv other suitable material. are pivotally-secured tothe hinges or eyelets. 51. .These rods :58 are bent at 59 around the bead 5,55. sothat in-positionof non-use they extend substantially parallel with and lie. against. the; side: wall or walls of the container. l0. TherOdswormembersfxSS may be extended and bent over at 58a (Fig. 2) to hook over the annular head it of container l0, and. will thus be retained in their non-use position until released'by the user. A frangible annular band (not shown) of cellophane tape, fScotch cellulose tape, or any other suitable binding tape serves; as an alternative, to securethe rods against the container In in their non-use. position. When the-.idevice is to be used, the band or tapeyis destroyed. The rod members .58 may then...be rotated about eyelets 51 to the dotted'positionof Fig. 1 at which time they extendbelow .the. bottom 42 andaserve as a convenienthandle ,ior;;the-.-con.-:

. 6 tamer atriatmambarcrasoedby ithernser. emperor more-zofisuch mdssflzeanrhea-used;

IZLASJ: an alternative-ion rtherifuse-aienitinarmeans showniin Eire::iidbatshown;imriigiiezmaiebeisnbstituted zwithoulrsmo dification :ofz any-ethos :parts omher eonstruotion. Alhparts: hayinait-heasame r'eferencecmuneralsaaretithe sameeasuithese :in 358.33. .Of lithel pafisiwlizi 4 1-145,": and 49 of Figzizotherfu-seifldais proridedatiits upper end witli-tazmatch-headifln. ..-'I?he latter:extends upwardliiirthronehxopemnerfimcandaisrsecured:by a; suitahlezxcrossniece flhofzeombustible :material that extendsrbetweenathezle sifia. A;isuitab1e proteotiyezcapmembenfi lro erltesahermatoh-head 42m restlneoon cthe tent-29a. .tmcflxd oriwireafiz seeuredaboth dame cemmembenvfihand tot-he bottom i s QE-ith sBiiienmemben "I Zi PfiEMbSz-WibhdrawaL-efnthe map: m mber :through openingelz 42a, ireversedaand atsn-stnlkingi-suriacev-rubbedacr-oss :theaheadeua; -:to: ignite it: and-li ht ..fuse Ma. EhmbmmingnfieithenfumdI: or Miawigmtes the-ieoznpeund miand such i nition burnsiaw y therpapem container si ooveringz choles 3t zine the on-2.90am}innemcontainer 29: t also. burnstaw y the-pm Z4501 memberfifi i1. 'i'liheyonminous smoke pnodueed by the. burmngmsmokevoompoundaw escapes first ithrot ehropen nesi 31;. tie-and 122: to atmosphere. -Asmthe. burning ofs=the-.oompound 4]] .zprogresses rdownwardlyt withim-icontainer :29, the, paper diner. ror zeontamenriii with {M3, exposing thei-siele openings 32 yin-the: walls" of container 29 and permitting smoke from the burn ing; compound taenter itreely-iand. =voluminously intei pa 33. ..--Erom.-thealatter, theismoke passes iree1y-.-throi1ghrppenings L8 in thermember .1 land toatmosphererthrongh epening 2 2;, m ne-ling there with(the/smoke:zcominei-firempopenings 3|, ane -i9. Theoneningsiaz SBIEV-ElbflthmflS smoke-zoutletsand as safety rout-lets; should [mile pressure; arise yin casing.=.-29.-durine combustion:

. Q Numerous. i othenastrnetnralirmedifieations-ear ofacoursainossible. gen additionakmoflification is shown in-Fig-s.::1.0randn1:11 .:".E'.1I&!i6ini.'|9l denotes anextfirnal easingi nnmntniner cioftmetal :10! other suitablepmaterial. .iilnirtheo embodiment shown, this casingris oficylindricaltiornnbntzitf mayibexof anyflesiredashane. 'Theimp i I lzrofith'e container comprisesi ancunalikeishellcmember :lia-uadmeasuredstoifitrwithin zthempnerrmdi Gf'JCOIJl'iEiIIGJl :ln ll. Aiportion 1.16mi; the-tbdttonmirzthe shell member isrmndeineentnantiforra' punposerto @be presently described. iennoneningfil ltiofieomparativel iarge diameter-i sis rprov-i'ded rim :the; :upper :wall 10f; ithe neentriantiipoetiorr 1M 3 11:0 worm-it rapid escapevof theiprofinctstofinombustionim theiidevice. iivliikevizise iandiiiomsimflar-purposesaa 'plurality ofopenings H5 are provided in thet-bottoimofi the shell A cover member vI I6 is provided for the'ishell member II 2. This cover member I I6 has a larger diameter than that of the container I and its overlapping edges IIGa are beaded over to ether with the upper edges of the container I00 and shell member H2 to form a double annular sealing bead or rib I II. This bead is very secure and made moistureand leakproof in any well-known manner as by the use of solder or the like.

The cover member H6 has a large opening H8 that is normally sealed by a removable tear strip or member I I9 secured over the said opening I I8 in well-known manner as by soldering or the like. This tear strip H9, while removable, efiectively and completely seals the opening H8 against moisture and water until it is removed. A suitable ring I or other equivalent means is attached to the tear strip H9 to facilitate removal of the latter by the user without tools. It is merely necessary for the user to grasp the ring I20 and pull off the tear strip H9 to expose the opening H8. I

The entire inner wall of the container or casing I00 may be coated with an insulating lining I000. of any suitable material that may be applied by either spraying, dipping or in any other suitable manner. This lining preferably has heat-insulating properties.

An inner container I of metal or other suitable material for holding the burning compound is provided. This container I25 is admeasured to extend into the reentrant portion H3 of the shell member I'I2, being suitablyspaced and insulated from the walls of the latter by a spacing and insulating liner I26 which is of asbestos or other insulating-material. The insulating liner is optional, as the air space between container walls filled by such liner could serve itself as the heat insulation if desired. The top of the inner container I25 is provided with a plurality'of smokeescape passageways I21 through which the products of combustion'of the material within container I25 may escape to the opening H4 and thence outwardly of container I00 through opening H8. Likewise, and for similar purposes, the side wall or Walls of container I25 have a plurality of similar openings I28 leading" to the annular space I29 between the containers I00 and I25. I

The inner container I25 also has another opening I30 in its top. This opening has an upstanding annular rim I3I. A removable closure cap I32 is mounted on the rim I3I. This cap is provided with a striking surface I33 or any other equivalent igniter for igniting the smoke-producing compound, as will be presently described.

The inner container I25 is provided with a paper or other readily combustible liner I35 and is filled with a suitable smoke compound I36 capable of producing large volumes ofsmoke when burned that will be visible as a cloud even in high wind. The constituents of this smoke compound include a suitable dye for coloring the smoke as desired, a suitable burning agent to produce the smoke, and suitable fuel so that a sustained volume of smoke will be produced when the compound is ignited. Any of the commercially known satisfactory smoke-producing compounds may be utilized. A suitable fuse I31 ex--- If the burning compound is in solid form,i.-e.,:

a compressed solidified cylinder of the smokeproducing material, or a jellied substance, the liner I35 may be dispensed with, if desired.

A plug I40 of pressed clay, asbestos or other suitable material forms the bottom of inner container I25and serves to retain the contents I36 therein. A sleeve or jacket I4I surrounds the inner container I25 for a part of its length near its lower end, filling the space between it and the outer container I00 as well as the space between the plug I40 and the bottom I42 of the container I00. This sleeve or jacket MI is of'suitable heat-insulating material such as asbestos and serves to heat-insulate the outer container I00 from the inner one, so that the outer container can, if desired, be grasped and held by the user during burning of the smoke compound I35. This sleeve is optional.

The bottom I42 of the container I00 completely closes the lower end of the latter and is suitably secured thereto by beading over the rim I42a of said bottom and the lower edge I001: of said container to form the watertight and moistureproof hermetical sealing bead 42.

In assembly, of course, the containers I00 and I25 are both loaded from their bottom ends, the manner of assembly being to load container I25 with its contents I35, I36, I31 and I38, then to insert the plug I40 therein, then to insert the loaded container into container I00 as shown in Fig, 11, then to apply the packin or jacket I4I, then to apply the bottom cover I42 and then to form the sealing bead I43 so that the container I25 and its contents are completely sealed in leakproof and waterproof manner within container I 00, i; e., they are hermetically sealed within the outer container.

An auxiliary handle construction may be provided in order that the container I 00 may beheld further away from the user during burning of the smoke compound. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 11, a member I 50 may be secured to the bottom I42 as by spot welding or in any other suitable way. Eyelets or hinges I5I are provided on the member I50 at suitably spaced-apart points. Rods or members I52 of bendable metal such as iron wire or any other suitable material are pivotally secured to the'hinges or eyelets I5I. These rods I52 are bent at I53 around the bead I43 so that in position of non-use they extend substantially parallel with and lie against the side wall or walls of the container I00. A frangible annular band I54 of regenerated cellulose tape, or any other suitable binding tape serves to secure the rods against the container I00 in this non-use position. When the device is to be used, the band or tape I54 is destroyed. The rod members I52 may then be rotated about eyelets I 5I to the dotted position of Fig. 11, at which time they extend below the bottom I42 and serve as a convenient handle for the container that may be grasped by the user.

As an alternative for the frangible tape, the rods or 'members I52 may be extended and bent over at I52a (Fig. 12) to hook over the annular bead H1 of container H0, and will thus be retained in their non-use position until released by the user.

As an alternative for the pull-strip I I9 of Figs. 10 and 11, the cover member HIS may be modifled to that shown in Fig. 13. In the latter figure, the cover member IIBm has an upstanding annular rim I60 about opening H8m. This rim is threaded suitably and a screw cap I6I is removably supported on the threaded rim. A

9.31 suitable lpacking'gagasketi I,62;';is-.- provided soc-that?" arwater;andmoisture-nroot-seal;may beobtainedi betweemsthe; capzxand-thearimutoaefiectivelmseal; thercon-tents.=-0f: containenql Otherrstandard'r 10; are provided in the surfaceoi the band preferablyi bmstamping andgofisetting portions oictheiband walla. A substantially,axially-extending element:- or rod l'l5qisrslidably supported in each ,eyelet;

formszofzcontainers could-besusedrwithanmaof:the: 5.: opening I'M. A headed portion I'lGeis providedi modifications? diSGlQSEdur. Certainly;-.;the onewof; Figs: .liand 9:,coul-d replace;those:0i;Figs.1;,10 to 20 a if ;desired..-.-.

To;: ,use:1the device;-..ii itlisz-equipped Withnllhfi:

handle members-or -rods..-.I 52 ;.the'efrangihle banm I 54.-is:;broken-:.(or athe;hookedeovemportiom 152a released;from-1the-.;bead-; I I1 andsthewrodm are; rotated:to-theadotted@positionxof =Fig-.;;-:11i. There :2 afterntheering l 2 Bat-is: grasped. and-the pul strip:

I ISLE .1removed,-::or;else; cap I 6 6: (Figi-.; 113-):;:1s.:o'ee 15 moved-l: The-inner. cap :I 32wh-ichis then exposed; through: openings =..I I 8 or I I 8misthendiftedxfrflme rimnIB l yexposln-ggthe matcheheadeI 38m 1 The cap;-. I32 115 -reversed-,. -and.its striker surface; I 33 snubbed: across thermatchehead to; ignite ,-.-.the :latter: and"? light. the. fuse: I 37 1 Thehurning of 'fllSe: I3 I ig nitesstheicompoundililfi, and-such ignition burn away "C1133 paper container I35n.coveri11g-.-holesrl 21; 3 in;-.the;.top;-:of. inner ;container.I25.-n The .volu minous'a smokesproduoed by; the burning; smoke;-. 25 compound; I.3B=.escap.es first through. openingsqI 2 1- I I hand! is itoiatmospheree As .theu'bu-rninggofiz the compound I36 progresses downwardly -in:con-..- tainer- I -25,.- the paper.linersoncontaineral 35 burns With;-it, exposing; the side openings I 28 :in the-a 30 walls of containerI25 and. permitting smoker-from; the burning compoun-cl ;toenter. freelyg-and volu-:- minouslyiinto spacei I23.;. Eromrthe-.-latter, the. smoke passes-freely 'through openings -1-H5 in the I shell; memben-I i2 and-to atmosphere through: opening] I 8-, 'mingling there with the smokeecoxm ing. :from openings .1 I 21 and I I4.- The. openings I28 serve both. as. smoke loutletsaand.as -safety outlets-should: undue pressure arises-in-casing l 25 during-combustion... i 40 Since inner; casing I 254s heat-insulated-zfronr c the outer casing-I00 by thefliner, I 26, the jacket M I, and theinsulating liningaj IlIla,.-the..container.

I 00 maybe quite. safely' grasped' .near; its; lower end..duringcombustion-zof .the contents .I 35. The handle. members I 52 are, 2' therefore, adjuncts. which, .while-.convenient,-. are not -.absolutely,neces.-1 sary for safe operation:v I

The. construction anclarrangementof. parts pro-. A. duces a. veryrugged, moistureandgwaterproofiqfiil signalling: device that will withstand rough treat merit, moist or wet climatic conditions, \or'seven. l actualrsubmersionin Water and. Will: .bemeady. for. instant -use-.in, an emergency. i

Otherhandleconstructions thatmay b8-1l1S8d 55 with.,the l signalling.- device. areshown ins-Figs 14 to 20 inclusive Referring-to. these. figures and first i to..Figsi. 14 E to 17 inclusive -l I0 denotesthe containenor casing, of. signalling. device which may beoany. desired. typeofrsignallingidevice.. v

The handleioonstruction.isadapted. to shes-pen. manently associated .with thecontainerrandofure. i thermore to. be so positioned ...thereon.,.that. prior. to useritisin a condition-.01:soecalledvcollapsedflfi position: of-rnoneuse. which, adds. no; material: bulk to thecontainer .sorthat most economical packing... of,. devices.into .kits cansber effected. 1.- In..the=em.-... bodiment shown, a ring. or annular .band members I "I2 is. mounted.secnrelyonthe; container adj acent...70 to ,its. bottomiuend. This ring orrbancL I'l2is,.0.. suitable. metal suchas iron .or .steel or ,anypther. metal .or. materialsuchas heat-resisting. plasticwor fire-retarding ...and.. waterprooieclacomposition... liiyelets.v I13 .hairingaxially extending openingsJI"; 7 5

at zonekendsof .eachirod... A bent=over portionwl I1 isrprovidedlatethe opposite end ofl-eachelemenh oriprod i. and: seryes; as, .an abutment imember stow prevent complete ..withdrawal .of .themodefroni its. f supporting eyelet when the rod is movediinl-ionei directiom The,,rods.,are .preierably. sadmeasured to hesubstantially, equalJ-n Jen thto thedis'tanca between .theeupper and ilowenfianges .;,I.1Ild,.. IIIl6; atoppositecends .oithei-container -and when.as=,- ;semblecl with the container IIIl are plaeedl'in thl position shown in Fig. 14, i. e.,.extendi'ngialong. and substantially. in r parallelism with thegcontainer sidessbetweenitsioppositehends.

. A frangiblerretainingnbandcorr membeLIIBJ serves. conveniently to imainta'insther elements on; rods against ethe sides sofjtheicontainer. l I H in the; positionshown inlFi'g. 1e. .The ,band I I .18 maybe i of any suitable .material; for. example, itmay bfe of..regenerated"cellulose. ,tape,.. any other, type 10f. seliladhesiue tape or .otherbindin'giape .to' bind; theelementsto the side surfaces of thecontainer. Themainirequirement is thatthis' tapesecurelyg. holdlth'esrods I15 jnrthe noneuse. positionlof'Fig, 14 until theidevice is to.b'e..used,gand. that it be r resistant to .destruction.-. during: handling priorto r use. It. .mayPbe of 1.easily.-.des.tructible .i irie.. i It; shouldalso Joeicapahle'nf heingvquickly removabler or. destructiblenby the user, without .reqiii n e toolsgof lama. .kind,.. since -the..latten rnot the; availableiwlienlthe device. is neede'di- Torusetheidevicehit is. necessary ior the .nser; simply, to. remove or .destroy ..the retaining, band; I I8'1'andimove the (rods .01'. elements. to .the.. use;. position... To. do this, the. rods. or elements r I15": are .slid "inthe; eyelets I'I31to the dotted position, of Fig.3 17 .until their bent-over portions I .I I fene. gage .or .,abut...the eyelet's,.I'I3." 1 They. arecyth'e'n... bent. around .the. flange I I 0b; andiinwardIY etc-1 wards each other. below. the containerend .to .the .i full' line. positiom ofiFigAl'ZL' ,Allloigthennmayq, then. .be grasped. by. .one hand of ..,the .,useri so. arranged, theyH provide .a snigidshandliei for sun; l. porting the containeixinadequately-spaced; saiepi positionafromr ,the :hand ofthe. Euseri I, The..con tentsi ofqthei container .;I Ill "maythen--be ignited. or fired andsafely burned.,...

.TheLjrods. orimembersql'li'rare preferably of; bendable-.metaLsuch assiron .w'ireor oilany otherg suitableliendabl. material... 'I'hey,;-as..-well'.as ring membenl 12,..may be l coated..with heat-resistant.- and heat=insulating material. iinecessary, should; libel-113418412. tendency tosbecome .overheatedidflm... in-giuseof \theflevice to=avoidsburningtheiilsers handaby uheatnconduction ...The ringgmembersr I 12, I Ha, I 'I'ZbJnayYhaue-a .heateinsulating. ,ll'ne... ing inotlshowna. .between their innerrsuriaces andth'e surfacenf the container I10." 1.

The members J I5 need not be circular inscrossasz section. They; .may forrexample, .Joe vfiatlstrips s II5dshown in Figsilfiiandllil... Inisuchie zenhg theleyeletsclflawim ring.,l 'I2a'. will has/1e openirigs I 14a, modifled....in .shapevto. accommodate z such. stripslratherathan.rods. IiLsuch event,-,the. ends Illa; of .said.strips.. .can..he enlargedein. anygsuit-s able.' way,to .preventrompleterwithdrawal of said; strips II5a.ithrough theirueyelets lI3zi'.as,,for..ex-s. amplershownrin.flig lil 1 V Likewise, thermembersrlfi 'neednot be mount edislidably in .theeyeletsn I13. Iiistead,.n1iemberi I 1563(Eig. {maybe .piiiotallysuppptted fat. I 156 .i

11 from the eyelets "3b of band "2b and swung from a non-use position like that in Fig. 14 and bent to the use position shown in dotted lines. in Fig. 20 upon removal of or breaking of the band I18.

While plural handle members are disclosed in connection with the various modifications, in some instances a single handle member is sufli-' cient and can be used in place'of such plural members.

Other modifications in construction are pos-' sible without departing from the spirit of the invention and are contemplated. There is no intention of limitation to the exact details shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. In a signalling device adapted to be held in hand during use, an outer container, an inner container for smoke producing compound or the like, means for hermetically sealing said inner container and its contents within said outer container, a cup-like spacing member secured to said outer casing and extending into it, said cup-like member having an o ening in its bottom. means extending downwardly from said bottom to center an end of said inner container relative to said outer container, a heat insulating liner lying between portions of said inner container at one end and said downwardly extending means, a jacket of insulating material surrounding said inner container fora part of its length near its other-end, said downwardly extending means of said spacing member, said heat insulating liner and said jacket serving to maintain said liner container spaced from said outer container and heat insulated therefrom, said outer container having an opening, a removable closure member normally hermetically closing said last-named opening, said inner container having escape openings to permit easy and voluminous escape therethrough to said last-named opening of smoke developed by said smoke producing compound upon its being burned within said inner container after removal of said closure member from said last-named opening, and means within said outer container for igniting said smoke producing compound access to which is made available upon removal of said closure member.

2. In a signalling device adapted to be held in hand during use, an outer container, an inner container for smoke producing compound or the like, a cup-like shell member secured to one end of said outer container and extending into the latter, said shell member having a reentrant portion into which an end of said inner container extends and being provided with openings to permit free and voluminous escape therethrough of smoke developed by said smoke producing compound upon its being burned within said inner container, a heat insulating liner in said reentrant portion, a covering member closing said first-named end of said outer container, means providing a hermetic seal between said covering member, said container andsaid shell member, said covering member having an opening, a removable member normally hermetically closing said last-named opening, a second covering member closing the opposite end of said outer container and means forming a hermetic seal between said second covering member and said outer container whereby the contents of said outer container are hermetically sealed therein.

3.- In a signalling device adapted to be held in hand during use, an outer container, an inner container for smoke producing compound or 12 the like, a cup-like shell member secured to one end of said outer container and extending into the latter, said shell member having a reentrant portion into which an end of said inner container extends, and being provided with openings to permit free and voluminous escape therethrough of smoke developed by said smoke producing compound upon its being burned within said inner ber having an opening, a removable closure member, normally hermetically closing said lastnamed opening, a second covering member closing the opposite end of said outer container and means forming a hermetic seal between said second covering member and said outer container whereby the contents of said inner container are hermetically sealed within said outer container.

4. In a signalling device adapted to be held in hand during use, an outer container, an inner container for smoke producing compound or the like, a cuplike member adjacent one end of said outer container, leg members extending from said cuplike member serving to position an end of said 'inner container within said outer container and to center it to provide an annular space between said two containers, said cuplike member having openings overlying the annular space and an opening overlying the said end of said inner container to permit free and voluminous escape therethrough of smoke developed by said smoke producing compound upon its being burned within said inner container, a covering member closing said first-named end of said outer container,

means providing a hermetic seal between said covering member, said outer container and said cuplike member, said covering member having an opening, a removable member normally hermetically closing said last-named opening, a second covering member closing the opposite end of said outer container, and means forming a hermetic seal between said second covering member and said outer container whereby the contents of said outer container are hermetically sealed therein.

5. In a device of the character described, an outer container, an inner container for smoke producing compound or the like, a cuplike member adjacent one end of said outer container, leg members extending from said cuplike member serving to position an end of said inner container within said outer container and to center it to provide an annular space between said two containers, said cuplike member having openings overlying the said annular space and an opening overlying the said end of said inner container to permit free and voluminous escape therethrough of smoke developed by said smoke producing compound upon its being burned within said inner container, a covering member closing said firstnamed and of said outer container, means providing a hermetic seal between said covering member, said outer container and said cuplike member, said covering member having an opening, a removable member normally hermetically closing said last-named opening, a second covering member closing the opposite end of said outer container, jacket means for heat insulating said inner and outer container from each other, and means forming a hermetic seal between said second covering member and said outer container whereby the contents of said outer container are hermetically sealed therein and whereby said outer container may be held in hand by the user during burning of the contents of said inner container.

6. In a signalling device adapted to be held in hand during use, a metallic outer container, a metallic inner container for smoke producing compound or the like, a cuplike member extending into said outer container from one end thereof, said cup-like member having a central opening in its bottom, means extending downwardly from said bottom to serve for centering an end of said inner container and for providing an annular space between the latter and said outer container, and said cup-like member having additional openings overlying said annular space, a metallic covering member closing said firstnamed end of said outer container, said covering member, said cup-like member and said firstnamed end of said outer container being joined together and hermetically sealed at their joint, said covering member having an opening, a removable metallic tear strip positioned over said last-named opening and removably joined to said covering member to provide a hermetic seal about said last-named opening, means for removing said tear strip, a fuse extending through the compound in said inner container, an i-gniter for said fuse, a protective cover for said igniter, a striker for said igniter operable after removal of said tear strip, a heat insulating liner lying between said downwardly extending means, said bottom of said cup-like member and portions of said inner container, a heat insulating jacket surrounding said inner container for a part of its length adjacent its other end, a covering member closing the other end of the outer container, and means forming an hermetic seal between said last-named covering member and said outer con- .tainer, whereby the contents of said outer container are hermetically sealed therein.

7. In a signalling device adapted to be held in hand during use, a metallic outer container, a metallic inner container for smoke producing compound or the like, a cup-like member extending into said outer container from one end thereof, said cup-like member having a central opening in its bottom, leg members bent downwardly from said bottom to serve for centering an end of said inner container and for providing an annular space between the latter and said outer container, said cup-like member having additional openings in its bottom overlying said annular space to permit free and voluminous escape therethrough of smoke developed by said smoke producing compound upon its being burned within said inner container, a fuse extending through the compound, a match head igniter for said fuse, a proteotive member overlying said match head, said protective member having a striker surface, means for securing said protective member against loss, a metallic covering member closing said first-named end of said outer container, said metallic covering member, said cup-like member and said first-named end of said outer container being hermetically joined together, said metallic covering member having an opening, a removable metallic tear strip positioned over said lastnamed opening and removably joined to said metallic covering member to provide a hermetic seal about said last-named opening, means for removing said tear strip, means attached to said tear strip for engagement with said protective member to prevent displacement of the latter, a heat insulating liner lying between said leg members, said bottom of said cup-like member and portions of said inner container, a heat insulating jacket surrounding said inner container for a part of its length adjacent its other end, a covering member closing the other end of the outer container, and means forming an hermetic seal between said last-named covering member and said outer container, whereby the contents of said outer container are hermetically sealed therein.

MARTIN DWYER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,165,269 May Dec. 21, 1915 1,509,264 Schmitt Sept. 23, 1924 1,748,758 Fields Feb. 25, 1930 2,079,008 Goss May 4, 1937 2,094,561 Lowy Sept. 28, 1937 2,119,697 Anderson June 7, 1938 2,263,585 Moore et a1 Nov. 25, 1941 2,306,442 Holmes Dec. 29, 1942 2,322,329 Venn June 22, 1943 2,328,916 Le Comte Sept. 7, 1943 2,362,553 Hitt Nov. 14, 1944 2,366,261 Hitt Jan. 2, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 275,830 Great Britain Aug. 15, 1927 276,198 Great Britain Aug. 25, 1927 

